Green Nail Country Jiang'an City
"To report to the King of Yue, there is an old man outside the palace who claims to be the envoy Zhang Qingmeng and wants to see His Highness." The soldier came in panting to report.
Han Jin laughed twice and asked Wang Liwei on the side: "What is the purpose of Zhang Qingmeng sending an envoy here?"
"It must be to persuade the king to refuse to send troops. The king must not be deceived by this villain!" Wang Liwei replied: "Just let him go back!"
"No!" Han Jin stood up: "Let me know this guy for a while."
"Invite envoy Zhang Qingmeng to enter the court!" A sharp voice like a silver bell shook the entire court and the public.
After a while, an old man walked in slowly, holding a whisk in his left hand and holding a six-year-old child in his right hand. He was dressed in a white robe, with a light and ethereal figure, and his white hair was tightly tied on his head. The old man with his long beard fluttering in the wind like silver threads, like a fairy, quickly attracted everyone's attention.
Everyone was shocked by this strange costume. Who was this envoy? He was clearly the Supreme Lord descending to earth! Han Jin subconsciously nodded respectfully, his sixth sense telling him that this old man was no ordinary person.
The old man was neither in a hurry nor in a hurry. He waved his hands a few times, then bent down and bowed: "Zhong Langyuan, the envoy of Zheng Guogong and Zhang Qingmeng, paid homage to the King of Yue!" (Zhong Langyuan: the old Confucian)
The boy on the side hid behind the old man and looked at everything around him in horror.
Han Jin walked down the steps and helped him up: "Old sir, it's hard work, but he is still sent as an envoy at such an old age. Is it possible that there is no one under Zhang Qingmeng's account?"
The corners of the old scholar's withered mouth twitched, and he immediately replied: "No, it's all because I am a mediocre person in the court."
Of course, Han Jin understood the other meaning of these words, and his face was a little unhappy: "So, does the old gentleman come here to persuade me to withdraw my troops?"
The old scholar shook his fly whisk and said with a smile: "Is your Majesty someone who can persuade people with only a three-inch tongue?"
"Now that you know it, please go back and tell Zhang Qingmeng that the Allied Forces will cut him into pieces!" Han Jin said arrogantly while sitting on the king's chair.
The old scholar laughed, and Han Jin was a little confused: "What's so funny?"
"Who knows the power of the Anti-Zheng Alliance? What a pity! What a pity." The old scholar lowered his head and sighed, but he seemed a little unwilling to do so.
"What's the pity? Speak clearly!" Han Jin frowned and shouted with clenched fists.
The old Confucian touched the head of the little boy beside him: "King, please lower your voice, it will be bad if you scare the child..."
Han Jin gritted his teeth and forced his anger into his stomach: "Old sir, just say what you have to say, I will never harm you."
The old scholar gently stroked his white beard with his right hand and said slowly: "After the anti-Zheng alliance defeated Zhang Qingmeng, the king didn't want to think about what to do in the future?"
Han Jin's eyes were shining and he motioned to continue.
"Nowadays, there are powerful princes in the world. Although Zheng Gong is very resourceful, he only occupies a small area of Hebei. Years of war have caused a significant reduction in food production, so he is not worthy of being an opponent of the king now."
"Although the King of Chengdu has occupied the land of Yizhou and Jingzhou, he is debauched and immoral, ignores government affairs, has unclear rewards and punishments, and does not distinguish between loyal and traitors. It is difficult for him to pose a threat to the king for a while."
"The king currently occupies the land south of the Yangtze River and occupies the land of seven counties. He is a small tyrant of his own, but it is difficult to become the lord of the world. Why?"
Han Jin held his chin and thought for a while: "Mr. Yi Lao analyzed it like this. There is only one person who hinders my development, and that is Wu Wang Huahao, right?"
"Your Majesty has a mature idea, which really makes me admire you. For this reason, the land of Jiangdong has been an important tax-paying area for the imperial court since the Emperor Taizheng. It governs sixteen counties and eighty-four counties. It has a rich population, strong national power, and numerous talents. It is worthy of being the The first prince in the world. The land south of the Yangtze River has a close relationship with the east of the Yangtze River, but why doesn’t Hua Hao dare to attack the king?"
Han Jin thought for a while: "Of course Zhang Qingmeng is still in the north. If he fights with me, he will be attacked by Zhang Qingmeng. At that time, he will be attacked from both sides."
"That's right. So you still can't tell which one is more important than the king?" The old scholar chuckled.
Han Jin smiled and nodded, and quickly arranged for people: "Send the chair over and let the old gentleman sit down!"
The old scholar put the boy on the chair and continued: "May I ask your Majesty, when will the Anti-Zheng Alliance send troops?"
Han Jin was startled, and then said coldly: "How can I tell you the secrets of the military?"
"You don't need to tell me, Your Majesty. I'd like you to make a bold guess, okay?"
"Sir, please help yourself!"
"Send troops next summer, yes or no?"
Han Jin trembled and shouted loudly: "How do you know? Are you really the Supreme Laojun descending to earth?" Then he looked around: "Let's leave today. Sir, please come to the bedroom with me for a private discussion."
When Han Jin entered his bedroom at night, Han Jin and the old Confucian sat opposite each other on both sides of the table, showing no sense of dignity at all.
"To be honest, old man, what you said coincides with my thoughts. Currently, the only one who threatens me is Hua Hao. If Zhang Qingmeng is destroyed, I will also be destroyed. If my lips die, my teeth will be cold." Han Jin turned out A few broad beans were handed to the little boy. The little boy turned back to look at the old scholar and waited for him to nod before eating.
The old scholar smiled and said: "I hope your Majesty will forgive me. I am not Zhang Qingmeng's envoy, but just a fisherman on the seashore."
"Then why do you pretend to be Zhang Qingmeng's envoy?" Han Jin asked.
"Otherwise, the king will shut me out!" The old scholar laughed, gently stroking his long white beard, which shone like stars under the candlelight.
Han Jin smiled slightly, poured a small glass of wine and handed it over: "Old sir, what do you say about sending troops next summer?"
The old scholar took a sip: "Your Majesty, the name of this anti-Zheng alliance is anti-Zheng, but its actual purpose is to seriously injure the vitality of the princes in the world, right? Most of the powerful princes in the world are in the south. People in the south are accustomed to water warfare and are afraid of the cold. As long as your Majesty can promote it, We will send troops this winter, but we will delay sending troops on the pretext of rectifying our troops. They are the ones who will die in this way, and your Majesty can only sit back and enjoy the gains."
When Han Jin saw that the old scholar drank the wine, he smiled sinisterly, still holding a small dry paper bag in his hand. How could someone who could see through his mind let him live? Han Jin never trusts anyone!
The old Confucian drank the whole pot of wine again. Although Han Jin had a dull expression, he was ecstatic in his heart because it was the most powerful poison - Tripterygium wilfordii.
"What the old man analyzed is that I will do it one by one. I wonder if the old man is willing to be my counselor?" Han Jin had the antidote in his arms. If the old scholar agreed, he would interpret it and use it for him. Even if he refuses, he cannot let others get it, especially his mortal enemy Zhang Qingmeng, who he has not yet met.
The old Confucian chuckled, stood up and sighed: "I thought that the King of Yue was the hero of the world, with the power to encompass the universe and the ambition to swallow up the heaven and the earth; but it is a pity that he is small-minded and jealous of talents and talents. How sad!"
Han Jin was shocked and thought secretly in his heart: "This guy was hit by my Tripterygium vine, how come nothing happened?" When he looked up again, the old Confucian and the little boy eating broad beans suddenly disappeared. Han Jin was so frightened that he hurriedly Kneeling on the ground: "This must be some kind of god. Han Jin is so stupid that he has offended many people!"
The next day, the old scholar and the boy went from Jiang'an City on the edge of the East China Sea to Jinling City on the south bank of the Yangtze River. The speed was breathtaking. If they were not gods, no one would believe them.
Xiangyang Kingdom Jinling City Palace Garden
Hua Hao and a group of slaves were walking here. The floor tiles and handrails made of white marble were shining brightly. The pool was making a splashing sound, and the fish inside seemed to be swimming in the blue sky, twirling their tails and swaying their bodies one by one. The willow tree, like a beauty taking a bath, swayed gently. The garden is full of roses, and roses of all colors are in bloom. The lush green grass and towering trees make you forget to leave. A few crisp oriole calls made people feel more relaxed and happy.
Hua Hao said casually: "How does this garden of my king compare with the imperial garden of the Emperor Jingzhao?"
The servant smiled and replied: "His Royal Highness King Wu's garden is naturally the best garden in the world, and so is the owner of the garden."
"Don't talk nonsense. Although I like to hear it, we are all ministers after all, right?" Hua Hao smiled happily. Yes, compared to the puppet emperor of Jingzhao Mansion, he is truly "No. 1 in the world" .
Hua Hao suddenly saw an old man sitting on a willow tree, holding a fly whisk in his hand, and said calmly: "Your Highness, King Wu, no matter how beautiful the garden is, it is not as good as a heart of loyalty to the emperor and serving the country. What do you think?"
"Who are you!" Hua Hao took a few steps back in fear. Who could enter this palace compound? The slaves were also panicked for a moment.
The old Confucian jumped down from the tree and bent down to salute: "I am the secret envoy sent by Emperor Taiwei. I want to discuss some secret matters with His Majesty the King of Wu."
Hua Hao made a few glances, and the servants understood and retreated on their own. The two of them walked in the garden like this.
"Since you are a secret envoy, there must be something you can only tell me. Since I have no ears and eyes now, just tell me whatever you have to say." Hua Hao stared at the old scholar and said.
The old scholar flicked the fly whisk a few times, spread his hands and said, "May I ask His Highness the King of Wu if he is loyal to the emperor?"
Hua Hao smiled: "Of course, I am the most loyal to His Majesty the Emperor."
"If that's the case, I'll be relieved..." The old scholar fiddled with his long beard a few times: "Your Majesty believes that it is beneficial for the anti-Zheng alliance to defeat Zhang Qingmeng, but at that time, your Majesty will not have an army in his hands, and he will still have to change the power of the court. Since So, why not find a minister you trust the most? What does His Highness King Wu think?"
Hua Hao chuckled twice: "I have no interest in the throne at all. Instead of leaving a reputation of usurping the country, of course I am willing to be a loyal minister. Why did Your Majesty send you alone to find me?"
The old Confucian replied with a smile: "It is said that the emperor has said: 'Wu King Hua Hao is my loyal minister. If he can help me, the world will be settled...' Therefore, your majesty sent me here to tell the king of Wu that the court wants to support him." A powerful prince, this prince must be loyal to the court and have strength..."
"I understand!" Hua Hao bit his lips and said slowly: "What does the emperor want me to do?"
The old Confucian replied: "Han Jin has always had ambitions. The chief general of the more than 800,000 troops in the anti-Zheng alliance is actually a close confidant of Han Jin. If we get along for a long time, the troops may mutiny and switch to Han Jin. At that time, the most threatening thing is Han Jin is no longer Zhang Qingmeng."
"Your Majesty has long seen this wolfish ambition, so he sent me down to see the king to discuss how to restrain Han Jin."
Hua Hao clasped his hands behind his back and looked at the flowers in the pond: "So, what should I do?"
"First of all, we must facilitate the dispatch of troops this winter. The soldiers in the south of the Yangtze River are accustomed to fighting on the water and are afraid of the cold. At that time, soldiers called Han Jin rushed to the front. His Highness the King of Wu can refuse to go to war on the grounds that: 'the troops and horses have not been organized yet.' At the same time, with Han I will send an additional corps of troops to divide the power of the general and win the general to my side. This will not incur the hostility of Han Jin and divide the power. It can be said to be the best of both worlds."
Hua Hao laughed loudly: "I didn't expect that the emperor could come up with such a plan. It's really hard for me to believe!" When he turned around, the old Confucian had disappeared.
On the other side, Wanyang City
All the guards of Muzhou City were sent back intact. Ni Jiacheng knelt down in front of Qingmeng in despair and cried bitterly: "Mr. Zheng... Muzhou City... is lost..."
"What?" Qing Meng smacked the table angrily and stood up: "You can't even beat a sixteen-year-old child, but you are really powerful!" Yu Jitao stepped forward quickly, pulled Qing Meng's sleeves and said, "Sheng Defeat is a common thing for military strategists, and there is no need for Duke Zheng to worry about it. If the hearts of the soldiers are further chilled at this time, it will undoubtedly be a recipe for disaster. Moreover, although Han Songyang is young, his strength cannot be underestimated. General Ni Jiacheng can hold on until This situation is already very good.”
Qingmeng turned around angrily: "Fine him half a year's salary, demote him to a cavalry captain, and never come to see me again!"
Yu Jitao hurriedly hinted: "Why don't you quickly accept the order and thank me? Why are you standing there in a daze?"
Ni Jiacheng thanked him and walked out of the palace in despair. He bumped into Ni Hao in the palace square. After explaining the situation, Ni Hao became angry again: "Grandma, that bitch is trying to squeeze us out again, isn't it? Watch me go find him!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Jitao folded his fan and walked out: "General Ni, what do you want from me?"
"You didn't wait for me to find you, but you came to the door yourself!" Ni Hao rounded his fist and was about to hit you. Yu Jitao quickly blocked it with his fan: "My General Ni, why are you so angry? ?”
"You didn't defeat that alliance, but you made my cousin covered in ashes? What do you mean? Are you deliberately ostracizing us brothers?"
Yu Jitao chuckled and patiently explained the ins and outs of the matter, and said: "Mr. Zheng is just angry for a moment, and he will naturally call him into the palace after a while. The lord we are assisting is like Just like a child, doesn’t the general understand this better than me?”
Ni Hao shook his head blankly and said in a rough and powerful voice: "Mengzi is indeed like that, always very willful, and desperate when she loses her temper..."
Yu Jitao patted him on the shoulder: "I will let you see the day when the anti-Zheng alliance is shattered."
While the two were talking, one of the soldiers ran back in a hurry, and the other accidentally staggered on the ground. Ni Hao yelled in confusion: "Why is that tiger boy running so fast?"
"The old Confucian military advisor is back!!" the guard replied excitedly.
The two of them were stunned for a moment, and then ran into the palace excitedly like soldiers. When Qingmeng heard this, she also restrained the anger on her face: "Hurry up and invite!"
I saw the old Confucian walking in alone with a fly whisk. This made the three of them very excited, and they immediately walked up respectfully.
"Mr. Lao Ru, you must be fine..." Qing Meng was the first to say: "Can you let me see Jiang'er?" (Jiang'er: Zhang Junsheng)
"Absolutely not, and I also want to give Mr. Zheng a piece of advice!" The old scholar coughed twice: "Until the young master is twenty years old, you and your son must not meet each other. If you force them to meet, Mr. Zheng will definitely suffer the consequences."
Qingmeng felt as if someone had slapped him in the face, sitting on the chair shivering and sighing.
"Master, what's going on when you come back this time?" Yu Jitao asked respectfully.
Old Confucian told him everything about his lobbying, as well as various plans and plans, down to every detail, and then said: "The anti-Zheng alliance has begun to fall apart, and Li Huan only knows how to follow without having his own opinion. There is no need to Don't worry about it. As for how to proceed, that's what Military Advisor Yu should think about. I'll take my leave!" As a gust of wind blew by, only one crane feather remained on the ground.
Qingmeng felt like he had knocked over the cruet in his heart - he had mixed feelings. He didn't understand why he couldn't meet his biological son. He only had such a son. Zhang Junsheng was only six years old this year. After fourteen years, he still recognized him. It's hard to tell if you don't recognize him.
Yu Jitao bent down and said: "Mr. Zheng, please let go of the long-lasting love between your children. Master's lobbying of the princes in this way is hinting to Jitao that to defeat the anti-Zheng alliance, there is no need for direct confrontation, but only a small plan." Then you can win the battle."
"Did the military advisor hear anything?" Qingmeng asked.
Yu Jitao answered confidently: "Jitao not only heard something, but also thought of countermeasures."
To be continued…
